Tourist destinations still closed after earthquake in NTT
The Ministry of Tourism has stated that a number of tourist destinations in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) still require special attention and have been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure for visitor safety following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake.
In an official statement confirmed in Jakarta on Wednesday, the Ministry of Tourism said it is conducting monitoring through the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority (BPOLBF).
The monitoring is carried out through periodic field verification of hotels, restaurants and tourist destinations, as well as the operation of a tourism information hotline for tourists and business operators to ensure that the information provided is accurate and accountable.
Destinations that are still closed include Wae Rebo and Ruteng Pu’u in Manggarai, Kelimutu National Park in Ende due to crater wall landslides, the Teluk Maumere Island Group Marine Nature Tourism Park in Sikka, as well as a number of tourism areas in Ngada and Nagekeo Regencies that are still hampered by communication network and electricity supply problems.
Meanwhile, Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo, Frans Seda Airport in Maumere and Gewayantana Airport in Larantuka remain operational with a number of flight schedule adjustments.
To ensure that tourists and business operators obtain accurate information, BPOLBF has opened a tourism information hotline on 0811-3879-4555. The service provides up-to-date information on the condition of destinations, accessibility and accommodation after the earthquake.
Tourism activities on Padar Island, Loh Liang on Komodo Island, Loh Buaya on Rinca Island and Gili Lawa have also returned to normal. The number of tourist visits to the area was recorded at more than 2,000 people per day on 17 August 2026.
Other destinations, such as Kelor Island and Todo Traditional Village in Manggarai, remain busy with visitors and are operating as usual. Meanwhile, the Batu Cermin destination has been reopened since 16 August 2026.
Electricity supply and internet networks have also returned to normal and there have been no reports of guests cutting short their stays.
Meanwhile, Hotel Jayakarta suffered severe structural damage and has been temporarily closed. All guests have been evacuated and are being handled by the hotel management.
The Ministry of Tourism stated that it will continue to collect data and verify damage to accommodation, tourist attractions and tourism support facilities in all affected regencies.
Coordination is also continuing with the Ministry of Transportation and AirNav to support the recovery of airport operations through the Get Airport Ready for Disaster (GARD) scheme.
Previously, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 shook parts of NTT on Saturday (15/8) at 05.58 WITA or 04.58 WIB, centred around 30 km from Mbay, Nagekeo, at a depth of 15 km.
Based on data from the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD NTT) as of 18 August 2026 at 09.00 WITA, 69 people were recorded dead, 331 injured and 34,689 displaced.
A total of 19,297 housing units were reported damaged, with details of 6,463 heavily damaged houses, 2,481 moderately damaged houses and 12,006 lightly damaged houses.
Aftershock activity is still ongoing. BMKG recorded 2,403 aftershocks up to 18 August 2026 at 17.00 WIB, including 24 events with a magnitude above 5.
Significant impacts were recorded in Manggarai Regency with 26 deaths and East Manggarai with 25 deaths, as well as 8 deaths in Nagekeo, which was the epicentre of the earthquake.
A number of regions have declared disaster alert status, including northern Manggarai, northern Ngada, Ende and East Flores.